NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Metro Nashville is expanding assistance for residents still dealing with the effects of January’s winter storm, with city leaders urging people to take advantage of new and existing recovery resources.
Mayor Freddie O’Connell joined community and agency partners Friday to provide an update on Restore Nashville.
“I want Nashvillians to know help is still available,” O’Connell said. “It’s expanding, and work is continuing to Restore Nashville from the lingering impacts of the storm.”
Available resources
New assistance programs
- Metro Action Commission Emergency Winter Housing Assistance
- Applications reopen April 27
- Offers mortgage, rental and utility assistance
- More than $700,000 available for Davidson County residents with proof of hardship
- Hardships may include property damage, lost income, hotel expenses or other verified storm-related needs
- Income eligibility has been updated to 100% of Area Median Income
- Residents previously denied because of income limits may now qualify
- Applicants who missed earlier required appointments will get another opportunity to apply
- Residents previously approved for housing aid may also qualify for utility support
- Apply at Nashville.gov/MAC
Metro Action Commission said the program has already awarded $339,657 to 238 customers, helping 570 residents, with an average award of $1,427 per customer.
The program launched earlier this year with a $250,000 contribution from the Tennessee Titans through the Home Field Advantage Catalyst Fund. Metro later reallocated $931,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to expand assistance.
“As we prepare to reopen the application portal, our priority is ensuring that families who are still struggling in the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern have access to meaningful, timely support,” MAC Executive Director Jamekia Bies said.
- FEMA Individual Assistance
- Available to residents in 29 impacted Tennessee counties
- Individual Assistance can help eligible survivors with temporary housing, home repairs, personal property replacement and other disaster-related needs
- Tennesseans can apply for individual assistance by:
- Visiting DisasterAssistance.gov
- Calling 800-621-3362
- Using the FEMA app
- Small Business Administration disaster loans
- Loans for physical property damage
- Economic injury loans for impacted businesses – if your bottom line was hit
- Home disaster loans for owners or renters needing to repair personal property, including vehicles
- Some loans may be available up to $2 million
- Apply at lending.sbg.gov
Existing help still available
- Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD)
- Funding direct aid through 10 nonprofit partners
- Share your needs by calling 2-1-1
- $2.3 million raised to help those impacted; $1.2 million has already helped 1800 families
Volunteers needed
- Hands On Nashville is seeking volunteers for cleanup efforts
- About 1,000 residents still need debris cleanup help
- Sign up at HoN.org
- So far:
- 117 volunteer-led cleanups
- 826 volunteers serving for 2,446 hours
Debris deadline approaching
- Residents should place debris at the curb by April 19 before NDOT makes a final trip around the city picking up remaining debris
Cleanup totals so far:
- 163,000 dump truck loads collected
- More than 2 million cubic yards of debris removed
You never know what impact you can have on others — Patsy Montesinos brings us that reminder with a story featuring some very familiar faces. Enjoy this story and go vote for Shante!
- Carrie Sharp
